If you could live anywhere in Virginia...

[bluesaturn]

Great thread!

We are grappling with a similar issue.

Persoanlly, I was utterly charmed by Charlottesville. University towns are becoming the best places to retire because of medical facilities, arts, culture, etc.

We are possibly relocating to DC and are trying to decide between NoVA and Maryland. It looks like the job will most likely be in Rockville, MD, and I don't know if it would be insanity to try and live in Reston or Leesburg, VA. We live in Atlanta, so we aren't unaccustomed to horrible traffic, but it would be nice to be somewhat close to work.

NoVa has more horrible traffic than Maryland. More horrible, because Maryland is still pretty bad. But if you have to work in MD I would stay in MD. How about looking in Fredrick county? Close enough but outside the craziness of Montgomery county. Howard county is also really nice, but I'm not sure how that drive is during rush hour. Everyone I know in Howard county really likes it there though. There are also areas of Montgomery county that are a little less busy. Howard and Montgomery have great schools.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

Great thread!

We are grappling with a similar issue.

Persoanlly, I was utterly charmed by Charlottesville. University towns are becoming the best places to retire because of medical facilities, arts, culture, etc.

We are possibly relocating to DC and are trying to decide between NoVA and Maryland. It looks like the job will most likely be in Rockville, MD, and I don't know if it would be insanity to try and live in Reston or Leesburg, VA. We live in Atlanta, so we aren't unaccustomed to horrible traffic, but it would be nice to be somewhat close to work.

Reston is very nice, but a little bit more urban. Leesburg is a bit historical, but still modern. There is more traffic in Leesburg then there is in Reston, but regardless where you live there is traffic. It just depends on how much you can put up with.

 

[bluesaturn]

I fail to see what's so bad about living there....

You're 14 according to your trip report so you don't' have to fight the traffic on a daily basis. Traffic is what is so bad about NoVa. Also, home prices and cost of living can be crazy.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

You're 14 according to your trip report so you don't' have to fight the traffic on a daily basis. Traffic is what is so bad about NoVa. Also, home prices and cost of living can be crazy.

I know, but my asked my dad since he does. Traffic IS extremely crazy in NOVA, but it is all a matter of opinion. Some people have said it is terrible and others have said it's nothing. Home prices and cost of living ARE crazy, but I never said anything about that in my post.

 

[bluesaturn]

I know, but my asked my dad since he does. Traffic IS extremely crazy in NOVA, but it is all a matter of opinion. Some people have said it is terrible and others have said it's nothing. Home prices and cost of living ARE crazy, but I never said anything about that in my post.

You asked why people don't recommend NoVa. That's why they don't recommend it. Traffic and costs.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

You asked why people don't recommend NoVa. That's why they don't recommend it. Traffic and costs.

Oh. Sorry. I can't read apparently. I thought you were talking about my post where I quoted olena. Nevermind...

 

[bluesaturn]

Oh. Sorry. I can't read apparently. I thought you were talking about my post where I quoted olena. Nevermind...

It's ok. Don't really take it personally about the area. There's lots of good things about NoVA, like the great schools, generally low crime, and all the shopping. It's just not somewhere I would recommend to someone not used to living near DC, because it can be rather intense.

 

[Va-bear]

I'd pick Williamsburg, or if you want a more rural county closer to Richmond, then New Kent. You can easily drive to the beach, without living with the traffic in Tidewater on a daily basis. Busch Gardens and outlet shopping are right in your backyard. Many historic homes, and Williamsburg and Jamestown's historic areas. Route 5, which follows the James River from Richmond to Williamsburg has fabulous old historic homes/plantations. The weather---it rarely snows or sticks east of Richmond.

Traffic is a hassle in Tidewater, or Northern Va, so I'd steer clear of them.

I would vote this way if you like a more relaxed, 'country', life-style, or Richmond itself it you like a more urban lifestye. We can drive to Williamsburg in 45 min. or so - so you'd still have easy access.(We go often.)

I grew up in Richmond, but lived elsewhere for 14 yrs, between school and jobs. That entire time I longed to move back to Richmond... nothing compared. DC was TOO crowded; MD had too much traffic; NC didnt have enough going on and was too far from everything (these are generalities - I things about each - but none were 'perfect'.) Over the years I even convinced several friends to move here - without meaning too - by going on and on about it. Once I convinced Dh to move here - well, he's too. We can get to the REAL beach in 2 hours (fun bay water in 1). We can get to great, mountainous hiking in 2 hours (fun, quick hikes all over). We can eat at mod, trendy restaurants, see great ballets, the symphony and opera but still not deal with 'Big City' life.


OK - I'll stop now - but could definatley go on and on! Good luck!!!

 

[Va-bear]

ps - I live right by where you were this weekend!

 

[DisGirlAllie]

It's ok. Don't really take it personally about the area. There's lots of good things about NoVA, like the great schools, generally low crime, and all the shopping. It's just not somewhere I would recommend to someone not used to living near DC, because it can be rather intense.

Yeah. I love it!
Drive two blocks "Oh look a shopping center!" drive another two blocks "another shopping center!" two more blocks "how are there so many freakin' shopping centers!?!?!?"
Atleast, in the part of NOVA I'm in.

 

[Va-bear]

This is fun reading!

We are a family of three. DD is 6-1/2, so she will be around 8 or 9 when we can make the move. I homeschool, so that is not an issue.

I like the mountains, but don't want to live there.

I would like a more rural area with shopping 15-20 minutes away.
I HATE traffic!

I don't want beach living either. Both are nice to visit though.

So, hadnt read this when I posted about Richmond. I would lean towards Williamsburg for you after reading this. Or, as another poster said NEAR Williamsburg. There are alot of rural areas around it and great shopping IN it. State Route 5 is a historic road that goes from Richmond to Williamsburg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_State_Route_5) - still quite rural and a blast to drive - but with cool new housing developments coming up, along with old, historic homes (so, whichever you are into is there..) You could split the difference and live right between Richmond and Williamsburg - I have some friends who do and love it. (DH works in Richmond DW in Tidewater, but they can still have horses!)

 

[kt_mom]

I would vote for the Lynchurg or Roanoke area. The cost of living is very reasonable in either. Lynchburg has been growing quickly and is a great place for families. It's still just a few hours to the beach or even to NoVA or DC for shopping and other things.

We head up to the DC area for concerts once or twice a year and to visit my DH family who all live up there. Moving here was an adjustment for him at first coming from NoVA but he's happy now and agrees it's a great place to raise our DD.

 

[minniebeth]

As a resident of Northern VA, I heartily agree! If it weren't for DH's job, we'd be long gone. Traffic alone is ulcer-inducing. I was raised in Ohio, and even after 9 years here, I am still not used to how unfriendly/anti-social a lot of my neighbors are.

luvmyboys, that's so funny, because I moved to Ohio from Stafford, VA (did not grow up there) and we feel completely the opposite! We had great friends and neighbors and VA and have a very unfriendly development here in OH. But ultimately, we love BOTH Virginia and Ohio.

OP, Virginia is a beautiful state to live in!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

There's lots of good things about NoVA, like the great schools, generally low crime, and all the shopping. It's just not somewhere I would recommend to someone not used to living near DC, because it can be rather intense.

I agree! I LOVE NoVA! But I would have to be 1,000% more patient to live there (I'm already not an extremely patient person).

 

[kt_mom]

I agree! I LOVE NoVA! But I would have to be 1,000% more patient to live there (I'm already not an extremely patient person).

It's great to be close enough to visit the area though and some of the things they have to offer. I love going up to visit DH family at Christmas time and goign into the city to see the tree and stuff.

 

[sunlver]

We have lived in Va beach for the last 15 years. I moved here from the Chicago suburbs. I will say I like living here more. We are 12 miles from the Ocean, and about 4 hrs from the mountains. We are an hour away from Williamsburg. I guess it depends what you like, ocean, mountains?

 

[Denine]

Man, I am sooo ready to move right now. You all make it sound so wonderful.

Now DH just needs to get a job.

That is what is so wonderful about VA; where ever you are, you are close to something and not far from everything else.

I do have an aunt in Va Beach. She and my uncle have lived there forever. My uncle died though and was buried at Arlington Cemetery. They have a son that lives somehwere in Richmond. I am not really close to either of them.

I liked Midlothian and we even looked at some model homes there ( Clay Point and 1 other), but there are too many people there. We live in a semi-rural area now. I have soy bean fields out my back door and we pass corn fields everyhwhere we go. However, I have all the shopping I need 10 minutes from here. It would be perfect except we are a little too close to neighbors and I hate the weather.

 

[MTW]

EVERYONE loves it here! And the schools are great!

And I know of a house for sale

 

[lvanleer]

Great thread!

We are grappling with a similar issue.

Persoanlly, I was utterly charmed by Charlottesville. University towns are becoming the best places to retire because of medical facilities, arts, culture, etc.

We are possibly relocating to DC and are trying to decide between NoVA and Maryland. It looks like the job will most likely be in Rockville, MD, and I don't know if it would be insanity to try and live in Reston or Leesburg, VA. We live in Atlanta, so we aren't unaccustomed to horrible traffic, but it would be nice to be somewhat close to work.

If the job is probably in Rockville, MD I would push for Frederick County in Maryland or even the eastern part of West Virginia around Harpers' Ferry/Charles Town.....depending on where the job is in Rockville you might be close to the commuter train(MARC) or subway.....Of course I live right outside of Rockville and would never live in Virginia although it's a nice place to shop.

 

[frndofpooh]

I would vote for the Lynchurg or Roanoke area. The cost of living is very reasonable in either. Lynchburg has been growing quickly and is a great place for families. It's still just a few hours to the beach or even to NoVA or DC for shopping and other things.

We head up to the DC area for concerts once or twice a year and to visit my DH family who all live up there. Moving here was an adjustment for him at first coming from NoVA but he's happy now and agrees it's a great place to raise our DD.

I agree with you on Lynchburg, and it might satisfy the OP's need for space and shopping! It is a bit less expensive to live there than here in Charlottesville and it has a nice quality of life.

Oh, and with regards to my previous post, I didn't mean to imply that Charlottesville is in the mountains - it is actually bordered by several but not actually in them. We do have our share of rolling hills, though, so if you are a runner or biker it is a killer workout! Our placement against the mountains actually works against us getting much snow (it has been at least 6 years since we got more than 4 inches at one time) which is disappointing for my boys!